Method for attaching a control line clamp

ABSTRACT

A control line clamp includes a clamping element for retaining one or more control lines alongside a pipe; a first collar; and a second collar. The clamping element is arranged to be attached to the pipe by positioning the first and second collars around the pipe on opposing sides of the clamping element and moving the first and second collars relatively towards each other in an axial direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to GB Patent Application No.2008604.7, filed Jun. 8, 2020, which is incorporated herein byreference, in entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Control lines are used to control, provide power to, and communicatewith downhole equipment during hydrocarbon extraction. Control lines maybe electrical cables, fibre optic lines or hydraulic lines for example,and they can be connected to a variety of downhole equipment such ashydraulic pumps, valves and sensors.

Control lines are commonly arranged around the outside of a productiontubing and are run into a wellbore in parallel with the tubing. Severalcontrol lines may run alongside each other and perform different tasks,and multiple control lines can be spliced within a single housing orflatpack and separated out as needed.

It is known to use control line clamps to attach control lines to theouter surface of a downhole pipe, such as a production tubing. This isgenerally performed manually by workers on the rig floor when theproduction tubing is lowered into the wellbore. This area of the rigfloor is known as the red zone and is a dangerous place for workers dueto the close proximity to heaving drilling equipment.

In addition, existing control line clamps are heavy for workers tomanoeuvre and often require relatively intricate tasks to be performedduring installation, such as tightening screws. Installation of theseclamps is therefore labour intensive, making it both expensive and timeconsuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided acontrol line clamp assembly comprising a clamping element for retainingone or more control lines alongside a pipe; a first collar; and a secondcollar, wherein the clamping element is arranged to be attached to thepipe by positioning the first and second collars around the pipe onopposing sides of the clamping element and moving the first and secondcollars relatively towards each other in an axial direction.

The axial direction is the direction parallel to the axis of the pipe.

Advantageously, the components of the control line clamp assembly areshaped to be held and manipulated by automation, for example a robot, sothat the assembly can be installed by in an automated manner, i.e.without human intervention. In an example implementation, the automationgrips the clamping element and positions it against the outer surface ofthe first collar at any circumferential angle and then presses the firstcollar and second collar together to attach the control line clamp tothe pipe.

Unlike conventionally mounted control line clamps, which are oftenscrewed or welded onto a tubing, the control line clamp of the presentinvention can be attached to a pipe simply by positioning the first andsecond collars around the pipe on either side of the clamping elementand pressing them together, thereby facilitating installation of thecontrol line clamp assembly by a robot. No pins, screws or welding arerequired to attach the control line clamp assembly to the tubing.

As the control line clamp assembly is adapted to be installed by in anautomated manner, fewer workers are needed in the red zone on the drillfloor. Removing personnel from the red zone during operations on thedrill floor greatly reduces the overall risk for accidents, and in worstcase, deaths. By adding automation in the form of robotic installation,the need for personnel can be vastly reduced.

In addition, automated installation is both quicker and cheaper thanmanual installation and has the potential to be more reliable andrepeatable.

Preferably, the first collar comprises an engagement region arranged toengage with a first engagement region on the clamping element.Additionally or alternatively, the second collar may also comprise anengagement region arranged to engage with a second engagement region onthe clamping element.

In use, at least part of the engagement region on each collar surroundsat least part of the corresponding engagement region on the clampingelement. This engagement between the engagement region of the collar andthe engagement region of the clamping element restricts axial and radialmovement of the clamping element relative to the collars throughabutment between the respective engagement regions. In other words, whenthe control line clamp is installed, the engagement regions couple theclamping element to each collar so that the clamping element does notseparate from the collars.

In some embodiments, the engagement region on the first and/or secondcollar may comprise one or more recesses or slots, and the first and/orsecond engagement region on the clamping element may comprise one ormore axial lips or protrusions.

Alternatively, the engagement region on the first and/or second collarmay comprise one or more axial lips on protrusions and the first and/orsecond engagement region on the clamping element may comprise one ormore recesses or slots.

The axial lips or protrusions are arranged to be received in therecesses or slots such that that the recesses or slots at least partlysurround the axial lips or protrusions when the first and second collarsare pressed together. In use, the inner surfaces of the recesses orslots provide a surface against which the lips or protrusions abut so asto restrict or prevent relative axial and radial movement between theclamping element and collars.

Preferably, the first and/or second collars are adapted to be fixed tothe pipe and/or other collar, thereby preventing the collars movingaxially along the pipe or rotating about the pipe.

As the clamping element is fixed relative to the collars, fixing one orboth of the collars to the pipe in turn prevents the clamping elementmoving axially along the pipe.

In some embodiments, the first collar is a male collar and the secondcollar is a female sleeve, wherein the female sleeve is arranged toreceive at least part of the male collar. Alternatively, the firstcollar may be a female sleeve and the second collar may be a malecollar, wherein the female sleeve is arranged to receive at least partof the male collar.

In embodiments where one collar is a male collar and the other collar isa female collar, the male collar preferably comprises a plurality offingers and the female sleeve is preferably arranged to receive theplurality of fingers, wherein when the male collar and female sleeve arepressed together each of the plurality of fingers is deflected inwardsto grip the pipe. This allows the control line clamp assembly to beattached to the pipe simply by pressing the male collar and femalesleeve together, thereby causing the plurality of fingers to defecttowards the pipe. The deflection of the fingers against the pipe holdsthe male collar against the outer surface of the pipe.

Preferably, when pressed together, the male collar and female sleeve areheld together by a ratchet. This ratchet mechanism prevents the malecollar and female sleeve moving axially away from each other, i.e. thefemale collar is fixed to the male collar by more than friction alone.As the fingers of the male collar attach the male collar to the pipe,the attachment between the male and female collars in turn fixes thefemale collar to the pipe. Because the clamping element is retained bythe male and female collars being pressed together, the ratchet alsoensures that the clamping element remains fixed in position relative tothe pipe.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the clamping element may bearranged to abut a circumferential outer surface of the first collar.

The circumferential outer surface of the first collar may comprise oneor more protrusions arranged to engage or interlock with a correspondingone or more recesses on the inner surface of the clamping element.

Alternatively, the circumferential outer surface of the first collar maycomprise one or more recesses arranged to engage with a correspondingone or more protrusions on the inner surface of the clamping element.

These protrusions and recesses help to prevent rotational movement ofthe clamping element relative to the first and/or second collars byproviding one or more surfaces that oppose relative rotational movementbetween the collars and the clamping element, that is, one or moreabutting surfaces that are perpendicular to the circumference of thepipe.

In addition, the one or more protrusions may be tapered in an axialdirection such that the one or more protrusions on the first collar arethinner towards the end of the first collar that faces towards thesecond collar when installed, and thicker towards the end of the firstcollar that faces away from the second collar in use.

Additionally, the corresponding one or more recesses may be tapered in acorresponding axial direction such that the tapered recesses cooperatewith the tapered protrusions. This tapering of the protrusions andrecesses helps to ensure that the protrusions and recesses aligncorrectly during installation of the control line clamp assembly. Thetapering guides or channels the protrusions into the recesses as theprotrusions and recesses engage with each other.

In some embodiments, the circumferential outer surface of the firstcollar may comprise one or more circumferential teeth arranged to engagewith an outer surface of a control line or control line housing. Thecircumferential teeth embed in the outer surface of a control line,control line housing or flatpack, thereby reducing the risk of thecontrol lines moving axially relative to the control line clampassembly.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided acontrol line clamp assembly comprising clamping element for retainingone or more control lines alongside a pipe; and a collar, wherein theclamping element is adapted to engage with the collar and wherein theclamping element and collar are together adapted to attach to the pipe.

The components of the control line clamp assembly are shaped to be heldand manipulated by a robot so that the assembly can be installed in anautomated manner. In an example implementation, the automation grips theclamping element and positions it against the outer surface of the firstcollar at any circumferential angle and then presses the clampingelement and collar together to attach the control line clamp to thepipe.

Unlike conventionally mounted control line clamps, which are oftenscrewed or welded onto a tubing, the control line clamp of the presentinvention can be attached to a pipe simply by positioning the first andsecond collars around the pipe on either side of the clamping elementand pressing them together, thereby facilitating installation of thecontrol line clamp assembly by automation. No pins, screws or weldingare required to attach the control line clamp assembly to the tubing.

As the control line clamp assembly is adapted to be installed byautomation, fewer workers are needed in the red zone on the drill floor.Removing personnel from the red zone during operations on drill floorgreatly reduces the overall risk for accidents, and in worst case,deaths. By adding automation in the form of automated installation, theneed for personnel can be vastly reduced.

In addition, automated installation is both quicker and cheaper thanmanual installation and has the potential to be more reliable andrepeatable.

In some embodiments according to the second aspect, the clamping elementis arranged to be attached to the pipe by positioning the collar aroundthe pipe and positioning the clamping element against an outer surfaceof the pipe and moving the collar and clamping element relativelytowards each other in an axial direction.

Preferably, the collar comprises an engagement region arranged to engagewith an engagement region on the clamping element.

In use, at least part of the engagement region on the collar surroundsat least part of the engagement region on the clamping element. Thisengagement between the engagement region of the collar and theengagement region of the clamping element restricts axial and radialmovement of the clamping element relative to the collars throughabutment between the respective engagement regions. In other words, whenthe control line clamp is installed, the engagement regions couple thecollar and clamping element so that they do not separate.

In some embodiments, the engagement region on the collar may compriseone or more recesses or slots and the engagement region on the clampingelement may comprise one or more axial lips or protrusions.

Alternatively, the engagement region on the clamping may comprise one ormore axial lips on protrusions and the engagement region on the clampingelement may comprise one or more recesses or slots.

The axial lips or protrusions are arranged to be received in therecesses or slots such that that the recesses or slots at least partlysurround the axial lips or protrusions when the collar and clampingelement are pressed together. In use, the inner surfaces of the recessesor slots provide a surface against which the lips or protrusions abut soas to restrict or prevent relative axial and radial movement between theclamping element and collar.

In some embodiments of the second aspect, the collar is a female sleeve,wherein the female sleeve is arranged to receive at least part of theclamping element.

In embodiments where the collar is a female sleeve, the clamping elementpreferably comprises a plurality of fingers and the female sleeve isarranged to receive the plurality of fingers, wherein when the clampingelement and female sleeve are pressed together each of the plurality offingers is deflected inwards to grip the pipe. This allows the controlline clamp assembly to be attached to the pipe simply by pressing themale collar and female sleeve together, thereby causing the plurality offingers to defect towards the pipe. The deflection of the fingersagainst the pipe holds the clamping element against the outer surface ofthe pipe.

Preferably, when pressed together, the clamping element and femalesleeve are held together by a ratchet. This ratchet mechanism preventsthe clamping element and female sleeve moving axially away from eachother, i.e. the female collar is fixed to the clamping element by morethan friction alone.

In embodiments of the both the first and second aspect, the innersurface of the clamping element may comprise one or more slots arrangedto receive one or more control lines or control line housings. Theseslots allow control lines to be retained alongside the pipe by thecontrol line clamp assembly.

Preferably, the clamping element has an arc-shaped cross section. Thisallows the clamping element to be positioned over the pipe as the pipeis run into the wellbore. The collars can be placed around the pipeprior to completion, and the clamping element can be positioned duringcompletion. The arcuate shape of the clamping element means that thecontrol lines do not have to be threaded through the clamping elementwhen being deployed, thereby simplifying installation.

Optionally, the arc-shaped cross section may be larger than asemicircle. This increases the holding force of the clamping elementaround the pipe and increase the contact surface area between theclamping element and the first and/or collar.

Alternatively, the arc-shaped cross section may be smaller than asemicircle. This means the clamping element does not need to beelastically deformed as it is positioned over the pipe.

The arc-shaped cross section may alternatively be a semicircle.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodfor attaching a control line clamp according to any preceding claim to apipe, comprising: positioning the first collar around the pipe;positioning the second collar around the pipe; positioning one or morecontrol lines alongside the pipe; positioning the clamping element overthe control lines with at least part of the clamping element between atleast part of the first collar and at least part of the second collar;and moving the first and second collars relatively towards each other inan axial direction to thereby attach the clamping element to the pipe.

This method can be performed by in an automated manner. The automationmanipulates the collars and clamping elements into the correct positionsand presses the collars together. No pins, screws or welding arerequired to attach the control line clamp assembly to the tubing.

As the control line clamp assembly is adapted to be installed in anautomated matter, fewer workers are needed in the red zone on the drillfloor. Removing personnel from the red zone during operations on drillfloor greatly reduces the overall risk for accidents, and in worst case,deaths. By adding automation in the form of automation installation, theneed for personnel can be vastly reduced.

Preferably the method further comprises pressing the first and secondcollars loosely together prior to positioning the clamping element overthe control lines between the first and second collars, wherein movingthe first and second collars relatively towards each other in the axialdirection comprises further pressing the first and second collarstogether.

This allows the collars to be loosely attached to the pipe in apre-configured position, thereby removing the need to hold them in placearound the pipe when installing the clamping element.

Even more preferably, the method further comprises lightly pressing thefirst collar and second collar together prior to positioning the one ormore control lines alongside the pipe.

This allows the collars to be loosely attached to the pipe in apre-configured position, thereby removing the need to hold them in placearound the pipe when installing the clamping element. This canoptionally be performed on-shore prior to completion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a control line clamp assembly attached to a tubing.

FIG. 2 shows a male collar of the control line clamp assembly.

FIG. 3 shows a female collar of the control line clamp assembly.

FIG. 4 shows a clamping element of the control line clamp assembly.

FIG. 5 shows the control line clamp assembly in an assembledconfiguration.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c show end-on, side-on and cross-sectional views ofthe male collar respectively.

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 7 c show end-on, side-on and cross-sectional views ofthe female collar respectively.

FIGS. 8 a, 8B and 8 c show end-on, side-on and cross-sectional views ofthe clamping element respectively.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a male collar.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a clamping element.

FIG. 11 shows a cross section of a flatpack.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of another alternative embodiment of aclamping element.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary installation methodfor installing the control line clamp assembly on a tubing.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

The present invention provides an improved control line clamp forattachment to the outer surface of a pipe for securing control linesalongside a tubing or other pipe. Although the control line clamp isdescribed in relation to a device for securing or clamping control linesto the outside of a production tubing, it could also be used forclamping control lines or similar to a casing string or any othertubular used in hydrocarbon extraction.

The words tubular, casing, pipe, production tubing and tubing may beused interchangeably through the present description to refer to aproduction tubing or similar which is run into a wellbore within acasing or casing string or similar.

FIG. 1 shows a control line clamp assembly 100 attached to a tubing 200.The control line clamp assembly 100 is shown retaining several controllines 300 alongside the tubing 200. These control lines 300 may besingle control lines, or they may be multiple control lines containedtogether within a housing or flatpack, such as the flatpack shown inFIG. 11 which has a casing 301 surrounding three cables 302 a, 302 b and302 c.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 , the control line clamp assembly 100has three separate parts, namely a male collar 110, a female collar 120,and a clamping element 130. In use, the clamping element 130 ispositioned over the control lines 300 and is held in place between themale collar 110 and female collar 120, which together form an attachmentmechanism for fixing the control line clamp assembly 100 to the outersurface of the tubing 200.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , the male collar 110 is generally tubular inshape and has a plurality of gripping fingers 114 protruding axially atone end, and a groove or recess 111 for retaining part of the clampingelement 130 at the opposing end. Additional views of the male collar 110are shown in FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c.

The gripping fingers 114 of the male collar 110 are created by providinga plurality of equal length, linear and axially aligned slots. Agripping finger 114 is formed between any two adjacent slots. Each ofthe gripping fingers 114 extends axially away from a tubular body of themale collar 110.

The gripping fingers 114 may also be referred to as arms, deformablemembers or other interchangeable terminology to describe a plurality ofelements which extend from a base toward a tip and bend or deflectradially inward from a base to grip the pipe, the elements beingseparated by slots extending from the tip to the base.

To fix or mount the control line clamp assembly 100 to the tubing 200,the plurality of gripping fingers 114 is arranged to deflect or bendradially inward by abutment against the inner surface of the femalecollar 120, as will be described in more detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , the female collar 120 is also generallytubular in shape and has a recess 121 for retaining part of the clampingelement 130 at one end. Additional views of the female collar 120 areshown in FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 7 c.

As best seen in FIG. 7 c, the inner surface of the female collar 120 hasa tapered portion 123 that gives the inner surface a conical shape, i.e.a section of the wall of the female collar 120 is tapered along itslongitudinal axis and is therefore shaped like part of the surface ofthe cone. This tapering means that one end of the female collar 120 isnarrower than the other.

In use, the outer surfaces of the gripping fingers 114 of the malecollar 110 abut against this tapered portion 123. As best seen in FIG. 6c, the gripping fingers 114 also have tapered portions 116, with anarrower outer diameter at the tip of each finger, that is, at thedistal end of each finger. In this way, the tapered gripping fingers 114may more effectively abut the tapered portion 123 of the female sleeve120. The tapering angle of the tapered portions 116 and 123 ispreferably substantially the same.

To attach the control line clamp assembly 100 to a tubing 200, the malecollar 110 and the female collar 120 are positioned axially on thetubing 200 and the male collar 110 is press fitted into the femalecollar 120. The male collar 110 and the female collar 120 are positionedon or around the tubing 200 such that the end of the female collar 120with the larger inner diameter is forced over the gripping fingers 114of the male collar 110. As the female collar 120 is pressed over thegripping fingers 114, the tapered portion 123 of female collar 120causes the gripping fingers 114 to deflect radially inwards to grip thetubing 200.

The magnitude of deflection increases as the female collar 120 ispressed further over the gripping fingers 114, which reduces the innercircumference defined by the gripping fingers 114. In this way, thegripping fingers 114 provide an inward force against the tubing 200 tofix the control line clamp assembly 110 to the tubing 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 c and 7 c, one or more ridged grooves/raisedridges/pawls/circumferential annular catches 115 may be provided on theouter surface of the gripping fingers 114. A plurality of ridgedgrooves/raised ridges/pawls/circumferential annular catches 122 is alsoprovided on an inner surface of the female collar 120. The ridges 115 onthe gripping fingers 114 and the ridges 122 on the female collar 120together form a ratchet so that after the female collar 120 has beenpressed onto a position where the control line clamp assembly 100 issufficiently gripped to a pipe, the ratchet holds the male collar 110and female collar 120 in position relative to each other.

Although the illustrated male collar 110 has the ridges 115 on thegripping fingers 114, alternatives are envisaged in which the ridges 115are instead on the body of the male collar 110, i.e. not on the grippingfingers 114.

The ridges 115 and 122 are each provided with a conical first face, forexample with a pitch in the range of 20-35°, and an opposite second facethat forms an abutment surface perpendicular to a central axis of themale collar 110 or female collar 120. The ridges 115 and 122 arecomplementary to each other such that as the female collar 120 ispressed axially onto the gripping fingers 114, each ridge 122 on thefemale collar 120 slides with a conical inward face against the conicaloutward faces of the circumferential ridges 115 of the gripping fingers114. The gripping fingers 114 are displaced radially inwards until theridges 122 of female collar 120 engage behind the ridges 115 of thegripping fingers 114. Once engaged, abutment between the respectiveperpendicular second faces of the ridges 115 and 122 resists the malecollar 110 and female collar 120 being separated by an axial force,effectively locking the gripping arms 114, and therefore the male collar110, within the female collar 120. The ridges 114 and 122 are typicallysimilarly shaped and arranged with regular axial spacing andcorresponding pitch angles. A similar attachment mechanism is disclosedin WO 2014/011056 A1, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As seen in FIG. 7 c, the inner surface of the gripping fingers 114 maycomprise a plurality of gripping teeth 117 which grip the tubing 200when the gripping fingers 114 are deflected radially inwards as the malecollar 110 and female collar 120 are pressed together.

The illustrated gripping teeth 117 are formed of a plurality ofcircumferential protrusions on the inner part of the gripping fingers114 at the proximal end or tip of the fingers. Gripping teeth 117arranged in this way may prevent axial 10 movement of the control lineclamp assembly 100 relative to the tubing 200 by creating an edge whichtransmits force to the tubing 200.

The gripping teeth 117 may further comprise a series of longitudinalslits (not shown) in the gripping teeth 117 of each gripping finger 114.Such longitudinal slits help to prevent radial movement of the controlline clamp assembly 100 by creating additional edges that can exert aradial force on the tubing 200.

Referring again to FIG. 2 , the outer surface of the male collar 110 hasseveral circumferential teeth 112, which in the illustrated embodimentare formed by ridges spanning the entire circumference of the externalsurface of the male collar 112 without interruption. Although this is apreferred embodiment, alternative embodiments are envisaged in which thecircumferential teeth 112 are formed by a series of circumferentialridges (for example, with interruptions or slits between sections ofteeth) and/or in which the circumferential teeth 112 only span part ofthe circumference of the male collar 110. Alternatively, thecircumferential teeth 112 could be replaced by a rough/textured surfacethat creates a high friction gripping face for abutting against thecontrol lines 300, for example by providing a rough dotted surface.

The primary purpose of the circumferential teeth 112 is to slightlyembed in the outer surface of the control lines 300 or control linehousings/casings in order to prevent axial movement of the control lines300 relative to the control line clamp assembly 100 and tubing 200.

For embodiments in which the circumferential teeth 112 are formed by aseries of interrupted ridges, the teeth additionally help to restrictcircumferential movement of the control lines 300 relative to thecontrol line clamp assembly 100 and tubing 200 by providing an edge forexerting an opposing force on the outer surface of the control lines300.

In addition to the circumferential teeth 112, the male collar 110 alsohas a series of axial protrusions 113 around its outer circumference,which are shaped to interface with a series of axial protrusions orrecesses 134 on the inner surface of the clamping element 130, asvisible in FIG. 4 . The axial protrusions 113 on the male collar 110 aremost clearly visible in FIG. 6 b. Channels/recesses/grooves are formedbetween adjacent axial protrusions 113 and 134.

The axial protrusions 113 and 134 are optional components that help toreduce rotational movement of the clamping element 130 relative to themale collar 110 and tubing 200 by increasing the strength of theinteraction between the clamping element 130 and the male collar 110.When the clamping element 130 is placed against the male collar 110, theaxial protrusions interlock and thereby restrict relative rotationalmovement between these components (as described in further detail below,the clamping element 130 is held in position radially and axially by themale collar 110 and female collar 120).

As can be seen in FIG. 6 b, the axial protrusions 113 of the male collartaper in an axial direction away from the gripping fingers 114, i.e. thechannel formed between adjacent axial protrusions narrows to a point.This optional tapering assists in ensuring that the axial protrusions113 and 134 align correctly when the clamping element 130 is placed ontothe male collar 110. The axial protrusions 134 on the inner surface ofthe clamping element may optionally also be tapered.

Alternative embodiments of the male collar 110 and clamping element 130are shown without axial protrusions in FIGS. 9 and 10 . With thesealternative embodiments, the clamping element 130 may either be free tomove rotationally relative to the male collar 110 and tubing 200, or maybe held in position relative to the male collar 110 and tubing 200 byfriction alone (for example through the friction between the innersurface of the clamping element 130 and the outer surface of the malecollar 110, or between any other suitable abutting surfaces).

Referring now to FIG. 4 , the clamping element 130 has a cross sectionsimilar to the arc of a circle. In other words, the cross section of theclamping element 130 is similar in shape to a broken circle, such thatthe clamping element is generally shaped as part of a tube. Additionalviews of the clamping element are shown in FIGS. 8 a, 8 b and 8 c. Theclamping element 130 is preferably manufactured through a castingprocess, and may be manufactured of any suitable material, such assteel. The clamping element 130 may alternatively be machined.

As visible in FIG. 8 a, the arc-shaped cross section of the clampingelement 130 may be larger than a semicircle, but alternative embodimentsare also envisaged in which the arc-shaped cross section of the clampingelement 130 is smaller than a semicircle, such as that shown in FIG. 12. Having a cross section larger than a semicircle means that clampingelement 130 can be placed against the outer surface of the male collar110 prior to pressing the male collar 110 and female collar 120 togetherwithout the clamping element 130 falling away from the male collar 110.However, this also requires that the clamping element 130 is elasticallydeformed over the tubing 200 and/or male collar 110 during installationto enable it to fit over the tubing 200 and/or male collar 110.

The arcuate shape of the clamping element 130 means that it can beplaced over the male collar 130 and tubing 200 at any circumferentialangle. That is, the clamping element 130 can be positioned anywherearound the circumference of the male collar 110 during installation (aslong as the clamping element 130 is aligned with male collar 110 in theaxial direction) and does not have to be installed from a particulardirection. The clamping element 130, male collar 120 and female collar110 can all be installed at any relative rotational position withrespect to each other. This flexibility makes it easier for automatedinstallation of the control line clamp assembly as it removes the needfor a specific rotational alignment between the components.

As best seen in FIG. 8 c, the clamping element 130 has a first lip orprotrusion 132 shaped to be retained in the groove or recess 111 of themale collar 110 and a second lip or protrusion 133 shaped to be retainedin the recess 121 of the female collar 120. These lips or protrusionsenable the clamping element 130 to be secured in position relative tothe tubing 200 by the male collar 110 and female collar 130.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 8 b and 8 c, the lips 132 and 133 are formed asaxial flanges protruding from each side of the clamping element 130.While the illustrated lips 132 and 133 are continuous apart from thechannels or slots 131 (described below), alternative embodiments areenvisaged with discontinuous lips 132 and 133 on one or both sides ofthe clamping element 130, i.e. multiple shorter lip segments.

As mentioned above, the lips 132 and 133 are shaped to be received inthe groove or recess 111 and the recess 121. When the clamping element130 is positioned between the male collar 110 and female collar 120 andthe two collars are pressed together, the lips 132 and 133 are forced into the respective groove or recess such that the lips 132 and 133 are atleast partly surrounded by the grooves or recesses on the collars.

Ideally the radial dimension of each lip 132 and 133 is similar to theradial dimension of the groove or recess into which it is received inorder to provide a tight fit that minimises relative radial movementbetween the clamping element 130 and the collars.

In addition, the axial dimension of the lips 132 and 133 and grooves orrecesses should be large enough to ensure that a sufficient length ofthe lips 132 and 133 is retained within the grooves or recesses toprevent the clamping element 130 coming detached from the collars underhigh radial or axial forces (for example due to the lips 132 and 133breaking or deforming or slipping out of the grooves or recesses).

While the illustrated embodiment has lips 132 and 133 that are formed byaxially protruding flanges, alternative embodiments are envisaged inwhich the lips are replaced with other protrusions such as a series ofpegs, dowels, catches, arms or fingers that are received in one or morecorresponding grooves, recesses or openings on each collar. Havingmultiple axial protrusions on each side of the clamping element 130 thateach engage with a corresponding one recess of a similar size (i.e.multiple recesses, one for each protrusion) restricts relativerotational movement of the clamping element and the collars.

Furthermore, the protrusions could instead be provided on one or both ofthe collars, and one or more openings or recesses could be provided onone or both sides of the clamping element 130 for receiving theseprotrusions. In other words, the roles of the collars and clampingelement could be reversed when it comes to the engagement between theclamping element 130 and the collars.

The clamping element 130 also has a series of channels or slots 131 forreceiving control lines 300. The illustrated clamping element 130 hasthree channels or slots 131, although alternative embodiments areenvisaged with more or fewer channels or slots, for example one, two,four, five or six slots. The size of each of the channels or slots 131can be different, and each channel or slot 131 can be sized according tothe control line 300 to be received in that slot 131.

As mentioned above, in use, the clamping element 130 is held between themale collar 110 and female collar 120. In the illustrated embodiment,this is achieved by the engagement between the first lip or protrusion132 of the clamping element 130 and the groove or recess 111 of the malecollar 110, and the engagement between the second lip or protrusion 133of the clamping element 130 and the recess 121 of the female collar 120.This engaged or assembled configuration of the control line clampassembly is shown in FIG. 5 .

In use, the clamping element 130 is positioned abutting the outersurface of the male collar 110, with one or more control lines 300retained in each slot 131. For embodiments with tapered axialprotrusions 113 and 134, the tapered axial protrusions 113 and 134 helpto guide the clamping element 130 into the correct position relative tothe male collar 110, i.e. with the respective axial protrusionsinterlocking.

Once the clamping element 130 is in position against the male collar110, the female collar 120 is pressed over the gripping fingers 114 ofthe male collar 110 as described above. As the male collar 110 andfemale collar 120 are pressed relatively towards each other, the firstlip 132 of the clamping element 130 enters the groove or recess 111 ofthe male collar 110 and the second lip or protrusion 133 of the clampingelement 130 enters the recess 121 of the female collar 120. Once thelips 132 and 133 of the clamping element are positioned in the groovesor recesses 111 and 121 of the collars, both axial and radial movementof the clamping element 130 relative to the collars is restricted, i.e.the clamping element 130 cannot move along the tubing 200 or away fromthe tubing 200 relative to the collars.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6 c and 7 c, both the groove or recess 111 andthe recess 121 have tapered sections such that each of the groove orrecess 111 and recess 121 is slightly wider at its opening. Thesetapered sections assist in ensuring the clamping element 130 is pressedtightly against the outer surface of the male collar 110 as the malecollar 110 and female collar 120 are pressed together. The groove orrecess 111 and the recess 121 are preferably sized and shaped tominimise axial and radial movement of the clamping element 130 relativeto the collars.

The sizing of the channels or slots 131 is preferably designed such thatthe clamping element 130 presses the control lines 300 against thecircumferential teeth 112 of the male collar 110, thereby causing thecircumferential teeth to embed in the outer surface of the control lines300 in order to help prevent axial movement of the control lines 300relative to the control line clamp assembly 100. The clamping element130 must be pressed against the male collar 110 with sufficient force toachieve this. This could either be achieved by pressing the clampingelement 130 firmly against the male collar 110 prior to pressing themale collar 110 and female collar 120 together, or it could be occur asa result of the tapering of the grooves or recesses 111 and 121 of thecollars pressing clamping element 110 towards the outer surface of themale collar 110 as the male collar 110 and female collar 120 are pressedtogether.

Advantageously, attachment in this way means the control line clampassembly 100 can be attached to a pipe by only pressing the grippingfingers 114 into the female collar 120. Unlike conventionally mountedcontrol line clamps, which are often screwed or welded onto a tubing,the control line clamp assembly 100 of the present invention can bemounted to a tubing 200 in an automated manner. No pins, screws orwelding are required to attach the control line clamp assembly 100 tothe tubing 200.

As the control line clamp according to the present invention is adaptedto be installed by a robotic arm or in an automated manner, fewerworkers are needed in the red zone on the drill floor. Removingpersonnel from the red zone during operations on drill floor greatlyreduces the overall risk for accidents, and in worst case, deaths. Byadding automation in the form of automated installation, the need forpersonnel can be vastly reduced.

In addition to the advantages that result from facilitating automatedinstallation, the attachment of the gripping fingers 114 to the tubing200 due to the deflection/bending of the gripping fingers 114 allows avery strong gripping force to be applied to the tubing 200. Theattachment mechanism delivers extremely high holding forces under alloperating conditions on a range of different tubing sizes (due to thedeflection of the gripping fingers 114 varying depending on how far themale collar 110 and female collar 120 are pressed together).

Additionally, conventional control line clamps take a long time toinstall. The press-fit connection of the present invention is quick andeasy and dramatically increases the speed of installation and reducesthe overall installation time. The present invention provides a controlline clamp assembly 100 that is compact and easy to handle and can bepartially pre-installed onshore.

An exemplary method for attaching the control line clamp assembly 100 tothe tubing 200 will now be described with reference to FIG. 13 .

In steps 401 and 402, the male collar 110 and female collar 120 arepositioned around the tubing, for example by sliding them over the endof the collar. The gripping fingers 114 of the male collar 110 should befacing toward the end of the female collar 120 with the recess 121.

Steps 401 and 402 may optionally be performed onshore prior to thetubing 200 being deployed, or they may alternatively be performed whenthe tubing 200 is being deployed. This may either be performed manuallyby human workers or by a robotic arm, although if these steps beingperformed when the tubing 200 is being deployed then it is preferredthat these steps are performed in an automated manner.

At this stage, the male collar 110 and female collar 120 may optionallybe pressed together slightly to lightly attach them to the tubing 200,i.e. they may be pressed together such that the gripping fingers areslightly deformed towards the outer surface of the tubing 200 justenough to grip the outer surface of the tubing 200 when no additionalload is exerted on the collars. The collars should not be pressed fullytogether, i.e. they should only be pressed such that the clampingelement 130 can still be positioned between the recess or groove 111 ofthe male collar 110 and the recess 121 of the female collar.

This step is particularly advantageous when the collars are installedonshore, as it will ensure the collars do not move significantlyrelative to the tubing 200 during transit. Again, this step may eitherbe performed manually by human workers or by robotic or automatedinstallation, but it is preferred that it be performed in an automatedmanner if this step is being performed during deployment of the tubing200.

At step 403, one or more control lines 300 are positioned alongside thetubing 200, and the clamping element 130 is then positioned over thecontrol lines 300 between the male collar 110 and the female collar instep 404. As these steps will generally be performed during deploymentof the tubing 300, it is preferred for them to be performed byautomation, but they may alternatively be performed by human workers.The positioning of the control lines 300 alongside the tubing may beperformed by a robotic control line manipulator such as that describedin US 2013/0186640 A1, and the clamping element 130 may be positioned bya robotic clamp handling device such as that described in US2008/0023192 A1.

When the arc-shaped cross section of the clamping element 130 is largerthan a semicircle, step 404 will involve elastically deforming theclamping element 130 in order to allow it to fit over the male collar110 and tubing 200. This will generally be performed by a specialisttool capable of deforming the clamping element 130 as required.

As mentioned above, the clamping element 130 can be installed from anyangle around the circumference of the male collar 110 due to the arcuateshape of the clamping element 130.

In embodiments in which the male collar 110 and clamping element 130have corresponding cooperating protrusions and recesses 113 and 134respectively, these protrusions and recesses will help to ensure theclamping element 130 is correctly positioned with respect to the malecollar 110. As the clamping element 130 is positioned against the malecollar 110 it presses the control lines 300 into the circumferentialteeth 112, thereby causing the circumferential teeth to bite into theouter surface of each control line 300 in order to restrict axialmovement of the control lines 300 relative to the male collar 110.

Finally, the male collar 110 and female collar 120 are moved relativelytowards each other in step 405. Preferably, the male collar 110 is heldfixed and the female collar 120 pressed over the male collar 110.However, the female collar may 120 may alternatively be held fixed andthe male collar 110 pressed into the female, or both collars may bemoved simultaneously towards each other.

When forcing the male and female parts of the attachment mechanismtogether, any number of known tools for press fitting tubular parts thatare arranged around the pipe may be used. For example, the press fittingtool as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,040,405, which ishereby incorporated by reference, may be used. Such a press fitting toolmay be used in combination with existing robotic clamp handling devicesuch as that described in US 2008/0023192 A1.

In this case, once the automation has positioned the clamping element130 over the control lines 300 against the male collar 110, the arm willposition the press fitting tool such that a first pressing surface ofthe tool abuts the end of the male collar 110 that is furthest from thefemale collar and a second pressing surface of the tool abuts the end ofthe female collar 120 that is furthest from the male collar.

The device will then actuate the tool to apply an axial compressionforce between the first and second pressing surfaces to thereby pressthe two collars relatively towards each other and force the male collar110 and female collar 120 together. This could be performed by movingboth pressing surfaces of the tool towards each other, or alternativelyby keeping one pressing surface fixed and moving the other. Once thecollars are pressed together, the control line clamp assembly 100 willbe attached to the tubing.

The control line clamp assembly according to embodiments of theinvention is suitable for industrial applications, in particular for usein the subsea oil and gas industry. The elements of the control lineclamp assembly may be made of any material known for such applications,such as steel. The dimensions of the components described may be adaptedas required to the control lines, pipes and other devices used in theseindustries.

Although the illustrated embodiments of the control line clamp assemblyshow the clamping element 130 abutting the outer surface of the malecollar 110, the roles of the male collar 110 and female collar 120 couldbe swapped such that the clamping element abuts the outer surface of thefemale collar 120. In this embodiment, the circumferential teeth 112 maybe on the outer surface of the female collar, as may the optional axialprotrusions 113.

Likewise, although the illustrated embodiment is a three-part assembly,alternative embodiments are envisaged in which there are only two parts.For example, alternative embodiments of the assembly may comprise aclamping element with gripping fingers 114, where the assembly isinstalled by positing the clamping element over the control lines 300and pressing the gripping fingers 114 of the clamping element into thefemale collar 120. Alternatively, a single collar may be attached to thetubing 200 (for example by welding or using set screws) and the clampingelement may be positioned over one or more control lines 300 andattached to the outer surface of the single collar using clips orfriction or similar.

In addition, although the illustrated embodiment has two lips on theclamping element 130 that are received in corresponding grooves and/orrecesses on the male collar 110 and female collar 120, alternativeembodiments are envisaged in which the clamping element 130 has a singlelip and only one of the male collar 110 and female collar 120 have agroove or recess. In this embodiment, the end of the clamping element130 without a lip will preferably abut against an abutment portion ofeither the male collar 110 or female collar 120 when the male collar 110and female collar 120 are pressed together.

The lip and groove/recess engagement could also be replaced with otherengagement interfaces, for example with other forms of interlockingprotrusions and openings.

While the above disclosure refers to male and female collars that arepressed together and held in place with a ratchet mechanism, alternativeembodiments are also envisaged in which two collars are positionedeither side of a clamping element and attached to the tubing throughother means, such as set screws, welding, threads, or similar.

For example, the male and female collars could be positioned either sideof the clamping element and pressed together to engage with the clampingelement (for example through the lip and recess arrangement describedabove), but rather than having deformable fingers that grip the pipe anda ratchet that holds the collars together, the collars could be attachedto the pipe by tightening one or more set screws or by welding one orboth of them to a pipe. Welding or tightening set screws could either beperformed manually or by automation.

1. A method for attaching a control line clamp to a pipe, for subsea oiland gas, the control line clamp comprising: a clamping element forretaining one or more control lines alongside a pipe; a first collar;and a second collar, wherein the clamping element is arranged to beattached to the pipe by positioning the first and second collars aroundthe pipe on opposing sides of the clamping element and moving the firstand second collars relatively towards each other in an axial direction;and wherein the method comprises: positioning the first collar aroundthe pipe; positioning the second collar around the pipe; positioning oneor more control lines alongside the pipe; positioning the clampingelement over the control lines with at least part of the clampingelement between at least part of the first collar and at least part ofthe second collar; and moving the first and second collars relativelytowards each other in an axial direction to thereby attach the clampingelement to the pipe; and wherein the control line clamp is partiallyinstalled onshore.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps ofpositioning the first collar around the pipe and positioning the secondcollar around the pipe are performed onshore.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising pressing the first and second collars looselytogether prior to positioning a clamping element over the control linesbetween the first and second collars, wherein moving the first andsecond collars relatively towards each other in the axial directioncomprises further pressing the first and second collars together.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising, prior to positioning the one ormore control lines alongside the pipe, lightly pressing the first collarand second collar together.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the stepof lightly pressing the first collar and second collar together isperformed onshore.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first collarcomprises an engagement region arranged to interface with a firstengagement region on the clamping element, and wherein the second collarcomprises an engagement region arranged to interface with a secondengagement region on the clamping element.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the engagement region on the first and/or second collarcomprises one or more recesses or slots.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein the first and/or second engagement region on the clampingelement comprises one or more axial lips or protrusions.
 9. The methodof claim 6, wherein the engagement region on the first and/or secondcollar comprises one or more axial lips or protrusions.
 10. The methodof claim 6, wherein the first and/or second engagement region on theclamping element comprises one or more recesses or slots.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first and/or second collars are adapted to befixed to the pipe and/or other collar.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein the first collar is a male collar and the second collar is afemale sleeve, and wherein the female sleeve is arranged to receive atleast part of the male collar; or wherein the first collar is a femalesleeve and the second collar is a male collar, wherein the female sleeveis arranged to receive at least part of the male collar.
 13. The methodof claim 12, wherein the male collar comprises a plurality of fingers,and wherein the female sleeve is arranged to receive the plurality offingers, wherein when the male collar and female sleeve are pressedtogether each of the plurality of fingers is bent inwards to grip thepipe.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein, when pressed together, themale collar and female sleeve are held together by a ratchet.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the clamping element isarranged to abut a circumferential outer surface of the first collar.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the circumferential outer surface ofthe first collar comprises one or more protrusions arranged to engagewith a corresponding one or more recesses on the inner surface of theclamping element, or wherein the circumferential outer surface of thefirst collar comprises one or more recesses arranged to engage with acorresponding one or more protrusions on the inner surface of theclamping element.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the one or moreprotrusions are tapered in an axial direction, and wherein thecorresponding one or more recesses are tapered in a corresponding axialdirection.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the circumferential outersurface of the first collar comprises one or more circumferential teetharranged to engage with an outer surface of a control line or controlline housing.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner surface ofthe clamping element comprises one or more slots arranged to receive oneor more control lines or control line housings.
 20. The method of claim1, wherein the clamping element has an arc-shaped cross section.